San Joaquin County Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
PAUL STURLA.
As a successful orchardist Paul Sturla has demonstrated the desirability
and productiveness of the Lodi district; from a small beginning he has become a
prosperous and well-to-do citizen. A native of Genoa, Italy, he was born on May
18, 1846, and was only fourteen years of age when he landed in New Orleans,
where he had a brother, Joseph; but on landing found his brother had just died.
The following year he came to California via Panama. He followed various kinds
of employment for a while, then worked on the construction of the Central
Pacific until he was made section foreman at Oreana, Nev., continuing there
eleven months, then at Sunol for a year, when he was sent to Altamont, where he
remained eleven years. He then came to Lodi and was section foreman for the same
company for seven years. Meanwhile, he purchased a tract of land containing
twenty-two acres, in the southwest part of town, now in the city limits, and
engaged in farming, clearing the land and planting it to orchard and vines. From
time to time he purchased more land until he now owns forty-eight acres set to
all kinds of fruits and thirty-five acres of Tokay and Zinfandel grapes. The
fruit trees were all planted by Mr. Sturla, besides there are many shade and
ornamental trees; also a vegetable garden and a few acres in alfalfa. He sold
three acres to the city of Lodi on which now stands the Needham school building,
a new and modern structure. Mr. Sturla has recently cut off six blocks from his
ranch and has subdivided the Sturla school district extending from Lodi Street
on the north to Sturla Street on the south and from Quimby Street on the west to
Church Street on the east. Each block averages twelve lots 50x140 feet. The lots
are sold with the understanding that a certain type of residence shall be built
thereon; there are now fourteen fine residences on the property.
The marriage of Mr. Sturla united him with Miss Louisa Mandragola, a
native of Genoa, Italy, who came to California with her parents, John and
Theresa Mandragola. Mr. and Mrs. Sturla are the parents of five children: Tillie
is Mrs. L. Sanguinetti of Lodi and has two children, Melvin and Alben; Mamie is
the wife of Frank Smith of Lodi and they have one son, Gerald; Fred is married
and has one son, Alfred. He is with the Buick automobile agency in Stockton.
Joseph is married and has two daughters, La Verle and Maxine; Eva resides at
home with her parents. Mrs. Sturla has indeed been a helpmate to her husband,
assisting him capably in fulfilling his ambitions.
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co.,
1923
p 1167
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.